Tag Archives: Internet

Life

How to Log Runs Online

If you are anything like me, you are best motivated to keep exercising or running when you can see the progress that you have been making. Over the past year I have tried a few different websites and iPhone apps to track and analyze my runs. Here is a rundown of the best resources to track and log your runs online.

Best Websites to Log Runs Online

RunKeeper
This is by far the best site I have found to log my runs. The clean and simple RunKeeper site makes it easy to add an activity with a dedicated “Post Activity” button. Once you have an account, you can log a run by clicking around a map and then entering the time it took. RunKeeper then calculates key running metrics like pace and distance. The mapping tool is easy to use with just one option of “Snap to Roads” along with a Undo and Reset button.

For those who want an extensive array of graphs showing different aspects of their running history, you can upgrade to RunKeeper Pro. This is not necessary to get most of the site’s features including the ability to share runs with friends and track performance on the same route over time.

Gmaps Pedometer and Google Docs
Before I found RunKeeper, Gmaps Pedometer was my bare bone solution to tracking my runs.  The site offers just a mapping tool similar to the one found in RunKeeper. The tool is great for those of you who want to map out a run without having to log in to a website. It offers the ability to map to roads or straight lines and can save routes for viewing later.

In order to record your history on Gmaps Pedometer, I recommend using a Spreadsheet in Google Docs. This free online software allows you to set up your own spreadsheet. Here you can enter the date of your run, the distance provided by Gmaps Pedometer, and your time. Then you’ll need to set up formulas to calculate pace. Finally you can copy in the link to your route saved at Gmaps Pedometer for future use.

MapMyRun
This website is a direct competitor of RunKeeper, but is overwhelmed with options and advertisements making it very annoying to use. One great example of this is an ad that sits in the middle of your map while you try to route making it hard to navigate around. MapMyRun does have a test version of their website you may be able to use with less and ads and a cleaner interface, but I still have trouble with bugs that make it hard for me to undo a click in the wrong spot on the map or to log in after starting a map.

The MapMyRun site does have some useful mapping tools like the ability to automatically complete a loop or go straight back to the start for an out and back run. Until they clean up their site though, it’s not worth the time or frustration that you could save at RunKeeper.

Best iPhone Apps to Log Runs

Nike+ GPS ($1.99)
While Nike does not have an online tool to route runs, the company does have the best iPhone app to use. The Nike+ app will record a map of your route using GPS and color code it based on your pace during the run. What sets it apart is its use of the accelerometer to calculate your distance and pace while running. This requires a few calibration runs where you fix the distance afterwards (use a tool like Gmap Pedometer above to get it right) and then is accurate within 0.01 miles.

Runs recorded with the Nike+ app are sent to an online Nike+ Runs site full of more features. You can set goals or enter challenges with friends for extra motivation. You can also find training schedules for different running distances. Best of all, superstars like Lance Armstrong will congratulate you after setting personal bests.

iMapMyRun (Free with ads or $4.99)
This app syncs up with the MapMyRun website mentioned above. It provides a simple option for tracking runs but only uses GPS. Because of this, there is a chance the routing will cut corners on your run and give you a shorter than actual distance. The app also features the ability to sync with heart rate monitors to provide you with useful information regarding your level of effort.

RunKeeper (Free with ads or $9.99)
This app is simple and easy to use and compares closely with the iMapMyRun app. Lately though the app has struggled with bugs that erased users’ running data, but hopefully this will improve.

Featured, Life, Technology

Program a Comcast DVR Online

I recently received an invitation to start using Comcast’s new online DVR scheduler.  The myDVR manager from Comcast finally provides a service that AT&T U-verse and Tivo users have long held dear, and until now, the missing service had been another problem in the string of complaints about Comcast.  Thankfully, the service is here and next time you’re stuck in a meeting or bank robbery you can be confident that the overdone ESPN episode of an over-glorified NBA player’s free agent signing is available for viewing later.

Getting Started

  • First, you must be a Comcast High-Speed Internet User
  • Have your Comcast.net username and password
  • Have a Comcast DVR (service in your area may or may not be ready)
  • Any internet browser should work but Comcast only lists IE and Firefox

Go to www.fancast.com/mydvr and follow the links to activate your myDVR service.  You’ll be taken through a few pages to sign in and check availability in your area.  Finally, you’ll choose to activate your DVR which may take up to 24 hours.

Using myDVR Online from Comcast

Using the myDVR Manager online is very simple and easy to use, and Comcast will enjoy getting more visitors on their fancast site.  On the site you’ll find a TV guide similar to what you see on your TV.  You can look up shows by channel and time plus filter by popular groups like Movies, Sports, and HD.  Once you find a show you want to record, select it and then click “Record Episode” or “Record Series”.  Next you will find an interface similar to that on your DVR box where options on how often to record and what to keep are available.  The myDVR Manager button (below) is always available and lets you manage the priority of shows and see what upcoming recordings you have.

Mobile Access to myDVR

Best of all, the Comcast myDVR service is available via the Comcast Mobile app on the iPhone and iPad.  The app has a guide similar to the one online where you select the shows you want to record and then “Schedule a Recording”.  The mobile services are essential to making this service great and have been executed well.  I can’t believe I’m thanking Comcast for something, but this is a service I plan to use.  What about you?  Let other readers know in the comments below.

Find Comcast mobile App on AppStoreHQ.
iPhone apps at AppStoreHQ

Money, Technology

No Cash! How to Pay Via Text with Venmo

Cash is a great system that helps many people control their spending, but for those who have taken hold of their budget there is a great benefit of cashless systems like online banking. The newest method of exchanging money that may lead the way in the next decade is paying over your mobile phone via text message. One of the best young companies to offer the service is Venmo.

Try out Venmo now by using invite code “obsessed-25“.

How Do I Pay With Text

Paying via text is very similar to paying via email and online with PayPal. You essentially tell Venmo who you want to pay and how much and Venmo will arrange the transaction. This requires an account to be set up with Venmo prior to or following the transaction so that you can move the money into your normal checking account.

The format for sending money with texts is fairly intuitive.

Pay <number or username> <amount> for <memo line>

For example, if you need to send me $10 for dinner you would text the following to Venmo (646-863-9557)

Pay ryank 10 for dinner last night

Benefits and Concerns of Paying With Text

Paying with a text message offers a number of great benefits.

  • Quick – Payback friends or businesses instantly without carrying cash.
  • Free – Unlike PayPal, transactions are free when using the Venmo network.
  • Easy – Request money from people who owe you (Venmo has a “Trust” feature to instantly charge friends in your network for money)

There are also some concerns with paying via text, but hopefully these will get cleared up as the concept becomes more mainstream.

  • Security – Is it safe? Venmo helps by letting users cancel transactions within 24 hours online and recommends that users use a PIN to lock their phone. Other competitors require a PIN for each transaction to help add a level of security.
  • Simplicity – Not everyone wants to set up another account online to manage money, but Venmo helps make this easy by allowing users to sync bank accounts straight from the phone
  • Ubiquity – Until the service gets popular it may be hard to explain to your friends why they should pay with text. The concept has gained more familiarity, though, with the “Text to Haiti” campaign which helped raise over $50M.

Try It Out

Venmo is available via private invitations only right now, but has provided me with 25 invitations for my readers. Use the invite code “obsessed-25” to try it out. After signing up, let me know what you think or send the following text message to Venmo (646-863-9557) to donate $1 to the blog.

Pay ryank 1 for cool blog

Other Reviews Online

Venmo review on AllThingsD
Venmo review at Thrillist
Venmo – The Future of Payments
Venmo’s Simple Loaded Premise – Pay Your Friends from Your Phone
Venmo Possibly Abolishing Friendly IOU
Venmo – SMS Based Payments